Author: Mike Shubic

Mike Shubic is a seasoned road trip travel video blogger, traversing the byways of the world looking for those hidden gems of the road. From unique destinations, unexpected discoveries, creative cuisine, intriguing inns to exciting attractions…the road is his page. The experiences are his ink. And every 300 miles, a new chapter begins. Whether you live vicariously or by example, Mike will do the exploring so you can have an adventure.

Heading to Seattle to say goodbye

If you follow me closely, you know that a few weeks ago my father passed away. Needless to say, it has been a difficult time. My dad was not interested in a funeral, so the family is getting together this week for a memorial celebration. When I found out my...

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Cozy Cactus: Not fancy…just fabulous

Cozy Cactus is a wonderful bed and breakfast located in the Village of Oak Creek, not far from Sedona, Arizona. Heading north on Hwy 179 toward Sedona, the landscape is similar to that of the drive from Phoenix. However, just a few miles after you round a bend in the...

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It’s a very, very sad day…

It is a very sad day for me and my family. After battling and recovering from prostrate cancer, then trying to fight lung cancer, my father lost that battle this morning around 1am. I just learned of my father's lung cancer a couple months ago when he told me he...

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SKY: luxurious Lappish cuisine with a view

On my last evening in the Lapland capital of Rovaniemi, I was looking for a really nice place to enjoy one last Lappish meal before my departure. I asked a number of the locals which restaurant they thought I should try; nearly all said, “SKY Restaurant.” SKY is located at...

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Alchemy turns food into fun fare

Located in the San Diego community of South Park (just east of downtown) is a neighborhood restaurant the locals rave about, so I had to check it out for myself. Alchemy is a casual and slightly eclectic place serving up some interesting culinary fare and craft cocktails. The focal point...

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Arizona Renaissance Festival

The Arizona Renaissance Festival is is one of the largest such festivals in the nation. This year festival organizers are celebrating its 26th season, which runs from the beginning of February through the end of March. The 30-acre park is located just outside of Apache Junction, about 50 miles east...

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Kemi SnowCastle is downright cool

For years I've been enamored by the idea of a seasonal and temporary hotel made of snow and ice. I recently had an opportunity to visit one of the most well-known snow and ice structures in the world...the Kemi SnowCastle. While the unusually warm weather and overcast skies did not...

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Manitoba from 38,000 feet

As I flew across the skies from London en route to San Diego, I snapped this pic at 38,000 feet above the untouched natural beauty of Manitoba, Canada.

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Nili takes guests on Lappish culinary journey

Restaurant Nili in downtown Rovaniemi, Finland is a local staple that whisks guests away on a culinary journey by creating a dining experience that embodies the fresh ingredients from its Arctic region. The interior furnishings are traditional Lappish, with hand crafted materials such as reindeer horns, Lappish woods, and reindeer...

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Dinner in an igloo

I'm now in the northern part of Finland, in the Lapland capital of Rovaniemi, which is a community that apparently Santa Claus lives near.  As a matter of fact, the Hotel Santa Claus (where I'm staying) is said to have hosted the jolly man on more than one occasion. This...

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Ahnu Mendocino boot review

Last month I attended the Outdoor Retailer show in Salt Lake City where I was introduced to a shoe company I’d never heard of before…Ahnu Footwear. A majority of their shoes are for the ladies, but they have a handsome line for men as well, including a few hiking boots. ...

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Chihuly exhibit at Desert Botanical Garden

Located in the heart of Phoenix, Arizona is one of the city's most popular and illustrious attractions...the Desert Botanical Garden. No matter when you visit, you'll be awed by the diversity of the Sonoran Desert. However, if you go now until May 18th, 2014, you'll be dazzled by the outdoor...

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